National Republican., 1887-02-19
CURRENT COMMENT.
The sointiilations which Brighten Our
Exchange List.

Exchange List.
fredericksburg Free Lance, Half mil
lion people are said to have petitioned Con.
gress to pass the Blair educational bill, The
right way to petition is to go to the polls
and vote against the party that is respon-
slble for the defeat Of the bill, no matter
with which the responsibility rests.
Philadelphia Inquirer. Twenty years Of
the empire, which was constant drain
upon the army, had weakened France to
easy defeat. During the intervening six.
teen years her army has been constantly
strengthened at every point, and Germany
knows that war with France In her pres
ent effective condition would be serious
business, no matter who won. Germany
wants peace, and ls threatening war not to
bring it on, but to ayertits being brought
on.
New York Tribune: A government
triumph In the German elections next week
is confidently predicted in the cable dis
patches. Probably this will be the beet
result that can happen. Prince Bismarck
is In the wrong and deserves to be beaten
on his appeal to the constituencies, but In
his present temper defeat would exaspe-
rate him and possibly plunge Europe into
war. A government victory will undoubt-
edly increase the chances Of peace on the
continent.
Utica Observer: Whether France really
proposes to go to war, or whether Gen.
Boulapger and his colleagues, Messrs.
Rochefort and Clemenceau, are endeavor.
ing to make political capital out OF the sit.
uation, is mooted question. The French
assembly Is soon to be dissolved, and new
elections are to take place. II these men
are supported by the country In the new
elections, the danger of war will be more
imminent than II now is, for in that case
the country itself might demand II.
Winoiser Stats. Zeitling: The query is
daily propounded by journalists WIN
there be war, or not precisely as II they
were seers and knew more about II than
other people. A huge mistake A writer
for a newspaper knows nothing more than
what any reader OF newspaper can know
likewise. Whether there will be war, or
not, every one can Judge for himself who
wears coat with buttons and waistcoat
beneath IL. II needs only yes or no In
counting the hti;;:sshheerr nj buttons of. The
event, II is true, may disappoint the prog
nosis, according as his better half has
sewed on button more or less.-TranS-
lated for Public Opinion.
Nashville Union: The most startling piece
Of intelligence sent out from Washington
lately Is that another trombone has been
added to the instrumental outfit OF the
Marine band. Every patriotic statesman
will hail this announcement with gratitude.
The trombone, in the hands Of men who
know how to manipulate It with accuracy,
is even more deadly than the dynamite
bomb. Strong men will seek the bubble
reputation at the cannon's mouth, but none
are brave enough to seek II at the from.
bones mouth. The trombone has this ad.
vantage over the riled cannon The more
inexperienced the handler, the more de-
-. sG.,z Il. % 49,. .lxsN..
force be increased and coast defenses can
wait another decade.
Cincinnati Enquirer: 1t would be inter-
esting If France and Germany were once
more to have a death struggle upon the soil
Of Belgium. Military critics say that the
greatest work which the great Napoleon did
In all his wondrous career was In the series
Of running fights In Belgium, which pre-
ceded the abdication ut Fontainebeau. He
was beaten, not through fault Of his, but
because France had been stripped Of soldiers
In the terrible retreat from Russia. Then,
again, in the marvellous hundred days, the
venue was laid in Belgium. Waterloo was
fought there. 1t was won by the French,
till Grouchey proved traitor and Blucher
came. 1t would be interesting to have an
| other great struggle between the same COM
batants upon the same field.
Der DeitSchc Correspondent The opin-
ions which prevail among the opponents Of
Bismarck that all the noise Of war has been
bruited about at his instance, in order to
influence the approaching elections and OBJ
tain a substantial majority, in the presence
Of the fact that even little Belgium is arm.
| ing with all her might, is not altogether
| tenable. The minister of war, Gen. Bou-
langer, has France entirely in his power;
he is lord of the situation, as neither Theirs
nor Gambetta ever were, and merely from
| the fact that he continues to supply fresh
fuel for the war fire which has been lighted.
The ornaments, pushed forward with such
feversh activity, render 1t absolutely i'm
possible for Boulanger to lead the people
and the paths of peace. If he were to try
| 1t he would only precipitate his own down
fall, for the reproach would then be thrown
upon him that he had led France to the
brink of frightful abyss. - Translated
for Public Opinion.